Gerald Allen Ackerman

Hills, MN CLICK HERE TO WATCH MEMORIAL SERVICE

Gerald Allen Ackerman, age 79 of Hills, MN died Sunday, November 9, 2025, at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

A public visitation will be Sunday, November 16th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with the family present at the Community Reformed Church of Sioux Falls, SD.

A graveside service will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, November 17th, at Eastside Cemetery near Steen, MN.

A memorial service will be at 1:30 p.m., Monday, November 17th, at the Community Reformed Church of Sioux Falls, with Rev. Clyde Teel officiating.

Gerald (Jerry) Allen Ackerman was born August 10, 1946, in Luverne, Minnesota, the son of Henry and Gertrude (Van Hill) Ackerman. He was raised on a family farm near Beaver Creek, MN. He graduated from Beaver Creek High School in 1964.

He was united in marriage to Betty J. Wassenaar on September 10, 1965, at the Steen Reformed Church. On November 16, 1965, Gerald entered the U. S. Army and served his country faithfully in Vietnam. He received his honorable discharge on November 28, 1968, and returned home to his wife, Betty in Valley Springs, SD. He began working as an appliance and TV service technician at Max Pasley Dist. for several years. In 1990 he began working as a regional service manager for Maytag. In 1998, he and Betty moved to Florida where he worked as a service manager for Fields Appliance. In 2013 they moved to a home in Hills, MN. Jerry officially retired in 2022.

Jerry enjoyed playing softball for the Valley Springs Reformed Church Team, golfing, fishing, woodworking and attending HBC High School sporting events. He especially enjoyed following his nineteen grandchildren’s activities. He was proud to be a Veteran and of his military service. He served many roles in the churches that he and Betty attended over the years, and his faith in his Lord, Jesus Christ was the foundation of his life.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Betty Ackerman of Hills, MN; four children, Laurie Kraayenbrink of Sibley, IA, LeAnn (Denny) Olhausen of Alta, IA, Lonny (Jodi) Ackerman of Brandon, SD, LaVonne (Jason) Dyer of St. Michael, MN, and their other special daughter/niece, Jill (Jim) Reindl of Sioux Falls, SD; nineteen grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren; four siblings, Joann Bos of Sioux Falls, SD, Judy DeRuyter of Tucson, AZ, Marv (Karen) Ackerman of Valley Springs, SD and Connie (Randy) Bakker of Brandon, SD; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Gertrude Ackerman; son-in-law, Mike Kraayenbrink; brother, Pete Ackerman; Betty's twin sister Beverly Wassenaar; a nephew, Steven Ackerman, and many other beloved family members.